|
Post by schlager7 on Oct 15, 2003 21:43:44 GMT -6
First, let me state that I do not fence sabre (electric, anyway), but I have heard about this sort of thing was expected to be coming down the road, soon...
Today, I received the following in my email from Marty Wysocki:
[glow=red,2,300]Recently the FIE has approved for all international competitions, Saber masks with clear plastic shields as part of the front of the mask. Accordingly the USFA has approved them for all competitions as well. This will reduce the target zone on the Saber mask by up to 20% for those wearing the mask.
The current FIE magazine (Escrime) has notice of this and three advertisements by vendors for the new mask are included. American Sada Jacobson, ranked #1 in the world for women's saber is pictured on the cover fencing a girl who is wearing the newly approved mask!
I did get written confirmation from the USFA this week that I can send you on this. The FIE is trying to make fencing more attractive to television, and this is believed to be a move to do that.[/glow]
|
|
|
Post by Passing Through on Oct 20, 2003 6:34:51 GMT -6
Sabre's not my game, but that does seem like an unfair advantage for the guy with lexan.
Of course, this could spur everyone into buying lexan masks for sabre, to equal things out.
Pretty good deal for the lexan dealer...
I wonder how much the kickback was to the FIE?
|
|
|
Post by marty wysocki on Oct 20, 2003 13:59:18 GMT -6
I also found out this week that this is all being motivated by trying to reach out to television. Secondly, the FIE has posted a 10,000 euor dollar prize for anyone who wears the new mask while winning a world cup. Finally, the rumor in the international community is that they will be REQUIRED for FIE sanctioned tournamnets within 3 years!
|
|
|
Post by Randy on Oct 21, 2003 0:07:40 GMT -6
I think once again they are focusing on the wrong problem. There are a couple of things they could change at most tournaments that would increase the appeal to the viewing audience.
A. Visible scoreboards. How many times have you watched a match and everyone keeps asking, "who's ahead?" or "who scored?"
B. Schedule the finals at a different time than the rest of the fencing, maybe on a Sunday evening. I've seen a few finals and they are almost always fenced with almost no audience. Even other fencers, people who love fencing, don't stick around. Why? Because they are tired, and have had enough of hanging around a gym all day. No one knows when the finals will be and noone wants to hang around for hours until it is decided. This includes hardcore fencing fans, much less the casual viewer.
Maybe we can't do this at every tournament but we should try to do it as often as possible. We have to establish the audience at a community level before worrying about TV. Would anyone watch the Superbowl if they only saw football once a year? Would having clear masks on the players help?
|
|
|
Post by PisteOff on Oct 22, 2003 15:57:14 GMT -6
You can't really see football players' faces with their helmets on, and football has plenty of viewers in hte US. Conversely, soccer has no masks and most Americans don't care about soccer. You can barely even see the person in auto racing, but that sport has many viewers.
I personally hate the lexan masks based on looks alone.
/shrug
--PisteOff
|
|
|
Post by Inigo Montoya on Oct 24, 2003 6:39:44 GMT -6
Well, I'll avoid the obvious comparisons between lexan masks (especially with the new colored jackets/knickers/lames) and the Power Rangers ...but Piste Off makes a valid point. The overall increase in some audience member's view of the fencer's face is negligible. Besides, as with other sports, you generally find yourself watching bodies and movements. They aren't actors in a play.
|
|